This week was GROOVY. We got word that the first phase of going back to church might start this week! Exciting!! We had so much fun this week and have even been able to meet a few people in person! SO FUN. We also were finally able to hike around a little bit!! AMAZING!!! I AM LIVING IN THE MOST BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY.
CULTURE SHOCKS:
1. Albanian's don't eat steak!!! They are super scared they are gonna get sick! Albania "steak" is NOT the same as American steak that is for sure.
2. Typically, Albanians have to grocery shop daily to keep their foods fresh and also because they don't make enough money to buy things in bulk!
3. ALBANIA IS SO HUMID. It is like you are just always wet from either sweat or humidity haha love that.
FUNNIES:
1. This week Sister Long got a bad infection thing in her eyeball and so she woke up one day and she couldn't see at all!! Her eye was swollen shut and she had all this yellow gross stuff coming out it was kinda freaky!!!! We washed it out and she iced it with some good ol frozen asparagus in a sock (I helped with that). In all reality this isn't a super funny story but if you could just see how big Sister Long's eye was I think you might laugh too hahah. That thing was as big as Texas! Also she is okay so that is good.
2. Whenever we go to buy food it always takes us about 1hr 30 min because we are teaching the people that sell us our fruits and bread! It is so fun!! Our cute fruit friend is super awesome. One day this week the streets FLOODED with rain and it was pouring. We stopped at his little shop to quickly grab some veggies and he was standing there in shorts and a short sleeved shirt with a summer vest thing and flip flops! This was hilarious because Albanians are still wearing long sleeve shirts even though it is literally in the 90s PLUS they are afraid of rain and they are always over prepared. Hahaha we joked with him and gave him a funny look about his outfit and he started laughing and told us that he made a big mistake and would just have to go swimming hehe. Then he made us some natural peach juice!! He always treats us so good he is the best <33
3. The birds are attacking us!! We like to study out on our small balcony that we have and the birds try to steal our things!! Hahah they also often times scare the living daylights out of me because these birds are not scared of us so they fly right up next to us! It is terrifying! Also, everytime we open our windows they TRY TO FLY INSIDE. Thankfully they haven't gotten trapped inside for too long yet but oh man I am slowly developing a fear of birds I think.
SPIRITUAL TIME:
In Albanian the word "shteg" means path! However, it does not mean your nice straight paved ashphalt road. A "shteg" is more like a rough dirt road that you would find on some kind of adventure. I love this because in 2 Nephi 31 it uses this word shteg in the place of the word path. That is because life truly is an adventure:)
18 And then are ye in this strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life; yea, ye have entered in by the gate; ye have done according to the commandments of the Father and the Son; and ye have received the Holy Ghost, which witnesses of the Father and the Son, unto the fulfilling of the promise which he hath made, that if ye entered in by the way ye should receive.
19 And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save. 20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.
In this life the path isn't always easy. There are bumps and ditches and curves and turns and the road gets hard. Sometimes we don't know what is to come next and what the future holds. What is around the next corner? How will we know what to do and where to go? How do we know which path is right? Thankfully, we have a Savior who walked this road before and walks with us every step of the way. He never leaves our side and he lights up the path making it easier to see as we press forward and feast on His words. Keep pressing forward and keep progressing on he covenant path. Your work is not done here.This is the shteg of happiness so find joy in the journey despite all the bumps. This is the path that will lead us to eternal life!!! ENJOY IT. I love you!!!!!!!!! Have the most wonderful week!!
Love, Motra Sëtën
Adriatic South Mission
P.O. Box 2984
Bulevardi Gjergj Fishta
Qendra ALPAS
Shkalla NR. 5 Apartamenti NR.14
Tirana, Albania
PICS:
1. Us and Uendi! We finally met up!
2. Cool rock!!!
3. Unë jam Motra Sëtën:)
4. Pretty view
5. Me & my "eternal companion"
6. GOAT
7. An adventure path!!!
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